Posts by: Diocese of Dundee

I am Fr. Fortune Khayelihle Mbatha, TOR. I was born on 7 December 1980 in the North Coast of Durban in Place called Stanger (KwaDukuza). In 1999 I completed my matric after descending about my life and vocation. I applied in the Archdiocese of Durban and I was accepted. I then went ST Kizito in Oakfordwhich is in the North Coast of Durbanfor my orientation in year 2000. Then from there I went to St Peters Seminary in Pretoria and I did two year in philosophy. In 2003 I went to St John Vianney Seminary Pretoria, and I did not complete that year. Then in the following year which is 2004 I joined the order of St Francis which is Third Order Regular of St Francis of Assisi. I did my Postulancy in a place called Emambheleni which is in the South Coast of Durban. In 2005 I did my novitiate in Verulam in the North Coast of Durban. In 2006 I then went to Cedara, St Joseph’s Theological Institute until I completed my four years of theology. On the 14th of July 2009 I was ordained a Deacon and on 16thof January 2010 I was ordained a priest. In that year was I was sent to Oetting Mission, Hlokozi in the Diocese of Mariannhill to work as an assistant priest for one year. In 2011 I was sent to Merrivale, Pietermaritzburg I worked as the student’s formator. On the 1st of January 2014 I was ask to help in the Diocese of Dundee at Amakhasi Mission as a Parish Priest.

Fr Ikemerika Onyekachi Azubuike, OSA is a Nigerian Augustinian priest working in Sacred Heart Parish, Pomeroy. He was ordained 7th July 2012. Since then he has worked in St Paul’s Catholic Church, Jaji Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Fr Sunday Baba Ikpe, OSA is a Nigerian Augustinian priest presently working in Sacred Heart Parish, Pomeroy. He was ordained on 1st July 2006 and before his coming to South Africa in August this year, he had worked in St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Maiduguri, Nigeria for Seven years. He solicits for your prayer for a fruitful mission work in South Africa.

Father James (Shijo Joseph) Madappallil Belongs to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS). Was ordained in the year 2009, January 03. First appointment in SFS Church and School, Kangpokpi, in the State of Manipur, India. Arrived in South Africa on the 06th of April 2010. Worked for 3 years in the Diocese of Keimoes-Upington at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Vredendal.

Fr. Jacob Mattathil M.S.F.S. arrived in Cape Town on 16th June 2013. On my arrival Frs. Babychan and Job received me in the airport. For about three weeks I received a very valuable induction program. Brief history and culture of South Africa, driving lessons, and some liturgical concelebrations in four different parishes of Cape Town archdiocese, were the highlights of the induction program. After that the very same fathers brought me to Dundee on 8th of July. Before I arrived here I served as a priest for 17 years in the North East India Province of the Missionaries of Saint Francis De Sales (M.S.F.S.). Till March 2013 I was serving as the Principal of Saint Francis De Sales School Dhemaji, Assam. There was a small parish in the same campus for which I was the parish priest at the same time. I began my preparations to come Africa from September 2012. As soon as the papers got ready I left India. On my arrival I am given this opportunity to in Zululand, Dundee. I am grateful to everyone who helped me especially to Bishop Thomas Graham Rose and Fr Babychan Arackathara our Regional Superior. My work permit is for five years. I leave in the hands of my ministry and missionary life in Africa. I count on your prayers and support.

PARISH OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL 5, Hill Street, Newcastle 2940 The pictures show us preparing for one particular trip with June Wells (SVP) with the help of two Seminarians, Jimmy and Javolino. We have some wonderful ladies on the Fairly Estate who help with the sharing of food and blankets. Food is made available at the Church, and also taken to families every Thursday. The families, and orphans are VERY grateful and appreciative. The other location where the blankets were donated is the informal settlements of Isidlala and Donusa – here the majority of families live in shacks and mud-brick homes – no electricity or proper sanitation, and standpipes for water every few streets. Please convey to the kind DONORS the gratitude and deepest appreciation of those who benefit. I need not tell you that in the freezing weather of the winter the shacks and ‘rubbish tip hovels’ are no place to live. God bless you all, and be assured of our prayers. Fr. Gerald Gostling (SS Peter and Paul Newcastle)